Andover XS606

Yes quiet so, XS596 disappeared from site one foggy weekend, after sitting awaiting it’s fate for a while, presumably smashed up, it disappeared the same time as BAC 1-11 ZE433. Although I still hope someone had the fore site to save something, but maybe on the down low.
XS646 was heavily spares recovered, presumably again as part of XS606’s sale, and dumped awaiting the scrap man, thankfully it’s nose section was saved and the last time I saw it was trundling around site with JARTs.
It’s remains were also sat next to the rear fuselage of another 1-11 but this time ZE432 which had its nose thankfully saved to Bournemouth.

Very sorry to see this. I assume XS596 and 646 met their end at Boscombe?

That is such a shame, I have fond memories of 606, and worked on her for a while as an apprentice. Glad the crew are safe.
In a weird way I feel happier she died this way than languishing for years uncared for, slowly rotting away, awaiting her fate.

Happy the crew are ok. So sad to see this beautiful aircraft is no more. Lots of great times in her doing interesting tests at ETPS. Goodbye old girl.

Good news that the crew survived the incident. Sadly this is the third Dart powered type to be destroyed in a crash in the last few weeks. An F-27 (6W-STF) and a Gulfstream 1 (9Q-CNP) have also recently come to grief in Africa, both on 2 Nov.

That is a damn shame. A fine aircraft, that just a short while ago was well cared-for.

Africa is a graveyard for Andovers !

Yep, you were correct, unfortunately XS606 did not turn out to be an exception.
This Tuesday 10 nov 2015:
http://aviation-safety.net/database/record.php?id=20151110-0

No Joe…I think 646 is still parked up across the far side though.

rgds baz

I wonder what the future holds for those two, I suspect fairly bleak. It would be nice for another one to enter preservation.

Was 606 tendered or was it one those ‘not what you know it’s who you know’ jobs.

No Joe…I think 646 is still parked up across the far side though.

rgds baz

Are Boscombe Downs other Andover’s, XS596 and XS646 still operational?

Is this the last active aircraft with RR Darts in the UK?

What is the current ETPS Fleet? What big a/c can still be used for testing?

The Andovers and BAC111 are being replaced by an RJ70 and an RJ100.
As for other aircraft, any British military aircarft can be tested at Boscombe or by Boscombe staff anywhere in the world (I had to go to Brunei for the Bell 212).
What you need to remember is ETPS is a school for Test pilots and Test Engineers and the real testing at Boscombe is carried out by QinetiQ (The A&AEE as was).

re;

What is the current ETPS Fleet? What big a/c can still be used for testing?

And did they ever operate a Victor, Vulcan or VC10?

based on previous aircraft down there/likely die before repainted

It’s probably a lot cheaper to piant it in Africa.

S.B.

606 no more

Andover XS606 was taken out of the hangar today with all her markings removed or painted over which makes me wonder if she is going to be painted white anyway. Not sure if it’s a UN requirement that all aircraft operated by them should be white, perhaps there are people in the know on the forum ?

i used to a FW heavy and FJ so wont hold it against you!!!

We get FW stuff over the ‘dark side’

Tony I may be one of the ‘Heavies’ but my last job before Christmas leave was on a Sea King. I do occasionally dabble in the dark arts of rotary. :p

re;

be nice if she eventually goes to Newquay. She ran up at Waddington last year and sounded wonderful…

you are such a whinger aeronut! We get FW stuff over the ‘dark side’ for prolonged engine runs!!!